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Handling Incidences of Abuse
Donna Washburn, MSW, LCSW Last month we discussed ways to prevent abuse from occurring in the church. But even with out best efforts, abuse can still happen—if not in our church, than in the homes of our churchgoers. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services determined that 896,000 children were victims of child abuse or neglect in 2002 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/publications/cm02/summary.htm). With those figures plus the estimate of experts in the field of sexual abuse that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 9 boys will experience some form of sexual abuse during their childhoods, we can only conclude that it’s a certainty that the church will come into contact with children who have been, or who are currently, experiencing some form of abuse. Mandated reporters Because of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Act of 1996 (CAPTA), in most states pastors, lay leaders, and all church volunteers working with children are considered Mandated Reporters. This means that by law they’re required to report any suspicions of child abuse (whether in the church or the child’s home) to the state Social Service department for further investigation. If a church worker fails to report their suspicion and the abuse continues, the worker may face sentencing at a minimum of a $2,500 fine and two years in jail. Some states have fines in excess of $6,000, and jail sentences of 3-5 years. Policies for Dealing with Abuse Determining when to report:
Many well-intentioned individuals fail to report potential abuse because they don’t think they have enough evidence. It must be made clear to all workers (whether paid or unpaid) that it’s not their job to investigate suspicious behavior. All those who work with children should be trained regarding signs and characteristics of abuse. If there is any suspicion, they should simply report it and let the experts and authorities follow up with the child and individuals involved. Another common fear is that an individual who reports abuse may later be sued or prosecuted for filing the report. But CAPTA requires states to enact legislation that provides immunity for those making such a report. Finally, some hesitate to report their suspicions because they don’t want to cause trouble for the people involved if their suspicions aren’t true. But what about the trouble they may be causing the child by not reporting it if their suspicions are true? Each state has a hotline number that immediately connects the caller with a trained worker who will take the report, and then dispatch it to the local Protective Service unit. You can call 1-800-4-A-CHILD, or go to http://www.kidsafe-caps.org/report.html for a listing of the state hotline numbers. Developing a plan within an administrative framework:
Each church must determine how to address a worker’s concern regarding potential abuse. Often the best way to handle it is to:
- Develop a simple reporting form for workers to fill out if they suspect abuse. The form is a way to document the basis for their concerns while it’s fresh in their minds, and also for documenting the church’s actions.
- The hotline call should be made by the worker, but under the support and supervision of the pastor, designated staff member or coordinator. It’s recommended that the call be placed within 24 hours of the initial concern.
- It’s important to note that the call must be made regardless of who the “offending” party may be. This becomes difficult when the allegations are against a longstanding member of the congregation, or perhaps a staff member, but it must be done for the safety of the child.
Removal of alleged offender:
If the abuse allegations are against a worker in the children’s program, this person must be temporarily suspended from their duties pending the state’s investigation. Not only does this potentially protect the child or children in question, but also protects the church from possible civil liability and even criminal charges.
Providing support for the victim:
Once a hotline call has been placed, the church must step back into its primary role in the community: support and spiritual guidance. The victim, the victim’s family, the offender, and many others involved will need ongoing emotional support and guidance. Conclusion Child abuse is a very real and pervasive concern in today’s church. Church leaders must take action to protect the lives that have been entrusted to them, and in turn protect their church and workers. While it can be difficult to bring oneself to report suspicions of child abuse, the alternative is unthinkable. Excerpted from a larger article that Donna wrote for Church Volunteer Central’s Idea Depot. To read the complete article, click here. Donna Washburn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, holding a master’s degree from Southwest Missouri University. She has worked as a therapist for abused and neglected children in residential, hospital, and outpatient settings. |
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